Marcelo Bielsa’s smile at the final whistle was as bright as the stars in the clear night sky above Teesside. The Leeds manager had not merely seen his second-placed side maintain a decent chink of daylight between themselves and the Championship’s chasing pack but he had proof they can cope without their midfield enforcer Kalvin… Read more »

• Kieran Gibbs opens scoring for WBA in 4-1 win over Bristol City• Jonathan Woodgate’s Boro climb out of relegation zoneWest Brom moved back to the top of the Championship with a 4-1 victory over Bristol City at the Hawthorns. Grady Diangana was the key man for Slaven Bilic’s side, setting up Kieran Gibbs to… Read more »

• Assombalonga sinks Wigan; Derby slip against Bristol City• Sheffield Wednesday go top with win against LutonJonathan Woodgate said Middlesbrough remain “a work in progress” despite his first win as head coach against Wigan.Britt Assombalonga’s 23rd-minute header was enough to seal Woodgate’s first three points since succeeding Tony Pulis in the summer. But the Middlesbrough… Read more »

• ‘It was a terrible performance,’ says Jonathan Woodgate • Forest Green beat Charlton thanks to debutant keeperDavid Artell felt League Two Crewe deserved to be in the second round of the Carabao Cup even before Middlesbrough forced penalties at the Riverside Stadium.Boro had to come from two goals down to level things in added… Read more »

A late James Collins equaliser rescued a point for Luton on their return to the Championship, minutes after Britt Assombalonga hit a penalty over for MiddlesbroughLuton and Middlesbrough share points in six-goal thriller 9.50pm BST Paul Doyle was at the game! Here is his report: Related: James Collins earns battling Luton a draw after Middlesbrough… Read more »

For lovers of goalmouth action this was a charmingly helter-skelter start to the Championship season. For Graeme Jones and Jonathan Woodgate, overseeing their first matches as managers, it was in turns delightful and agonising. Neither grumbled, both proclaiming themselves happy with their teams’ ambitious play. Each will be fun to watch if they continue like… Read more »